Chapter 12 The Truth
Everything fell into place in an instant—the strange attitude of the Pei family’s Eldest Master and Pei Zhao, Pei Du’s loss of control that night.
So I was Pei Zhao’s fiancée, not Pei Du’s!
The rumor I overheard on the boat had been correct. My fiancé really was that Second Master of the Pei family.
Pei Du had deceived me?
When he saw me enter, Pei Zhao’s sharp features twisted with unconcealed mockery.
“You still don’t know, do you? I’m the one who was betrothed to you. You were tricked.”
I felt utterly confused.
Why would Pei Du deceive me?
Pei Du glanced at me cautiously, then quickly lowered his head.
My expression changed the moment I noticed the faint bruise on his face.
“You hit him?”
“It’s nothing.”
His hand gently took mine. Pei Du spoke softly, “I bumped into the bookshelf while dodging. It’s nothing.”
I held back for a moment, but couldn’t in the end. Turning to Pei Zhao, I said coldly,
“He is your elder. How could you raise a hand against him?”
Pei Zhao’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“So what if he’s an elder? He did wrong first!”
“Even so, you shouldn’t have hit him!”
I continued coldly, “Besides, in what way did he do wrong to you?
You were the one unwilling to go through with the marriage. If he hadn’t stepped in, the Pei family would have gained a reputation for breaking promises. Pei Du cleaned up after you—after your branch of the family. What right do you have to question him?”
Pei Zhao’s breathing grew ragged. He snapped, “He lied to you, and you’re still defending him?”
“Whether he lied to me is my business. I haven’t even held him accountable yet—what are you so anxious about?”
I added with some mockery,
“What? Seeing that I’m not the ugly,粗笨 country girl you imagined, you regret it now?”
Pei Zhao opened his mouth. “I…”
“Even if he hadn’t taken your place and married me—even if I had arrived in the capital and found the groom looked exactly like you—I still would never have gone through with that marriage.”
Pei Zhao’s face paled.
He gritted his teeth. “Do you think this Young Master cares about you?”
“Then that’s perfect.”
I issued the dismissal.
“It’s getting late. Second Young Master should return.”
Pei Zhao clenched his fists.
Swallowing his anger, jaw tight, he strode out.
I let go of the hand that had quietly taken mine from behind earlier.
I glanced at Pei Du, said nothing, and turned back toward my room.